Too Many Books? Yes. And no.

As part of my effort to promote my newest novel The Halo Effect - the first in a psychological suspense series featuring NYC sex therapist, Dr. Morgan Snow - I went on a one-day book blog tour on Monday, July 26.

As part of that tour I posted an essay "Too Many Books?" at this site in which I asked if you are overwhelmed by the number of books offered in stores, how you pick the books you read and what we can do to spread the word about the deserving books.

The responses have been amazing.

To date, I have gotten over 500 emails answering my questions. And responses are still coming in every day.


So far, 60% of you said you are overwhelmed.

30% said no, there are not too many books but there are too few book reviews in the media and too few central sources to find out about books in a meaningful way. Some of the sites that were suggested that do a good job of introducing new books to readers were: www.readerville.com, www.DearReader.com, www.bookreporter.com and, of course, this site.

More than 70% said you rely on word of mouth and of those who mentioned review sources they trusted, the three most sited were The New York Times Book Review, Oprah's Book club and www.bookreporter.com.

"I agree that many very fine books don't get the support or exposure that they need to reach their readers. My adult son and I check large bookstores at least once every month and the area's smaller outlets as often as possible, but even so we can't keep up with the constantly changing displays. I read little or nothing from the bestseller lists," one reader wrote.

The displays were something that dozens of readers commented on.

"Your concern is valid. I am a retired teacher and noted throughout my career that children read less and less." - this too was echoed by so many people who contacted me who are deeply concerned.

"Yes, I agree that there are too many books. I further think that so
many of the books being written now are being written too fast and not edited very carefully. So many books, I'm finding, are not anywhere near the quality that they were just 10 years ago," wrote another reader.

As an author, indeed as a reader myself, all these comments are worrisome. But what can we do?

Right now we have a glut of books that are being dumped all over the net and in stores in such a haphazard way that far too many readers are flummoxed by their choices and wind up buying bestsellers simply because they can't wade through the virtual and bricks and mortar aisles and have no idea of what else to chose. (Over 40% of all the letters I got mentioned this.)

One reader deals with all the confusion with a journal. "I have a journal where I list authors I've read or found good reviews on. Sometimes a cover catches my eye. I read the cover leaves and jump in around chapter three and see if anything is interesting. USA Today also has "First Chapters" where I can also get a taste of the book. Then there are times where I randomly walk the library and pick up about 10 books and take them home. Found a lot of read reading that way as well," wrote another reader

I think the journal is such a great idea I'm going to start one.

But the one letter that I keep thinking about, that I keep going back to as a perfect distillation of the problem is this one: "I read three or four books a week, however I am finding it difficult finding good books. I stick to the better known authors because most of the new books seem to have no real plot. It is almost as if they were computer generated and only names and locations are changed. A really good book leaves you wanting more but the new ones make me wish I had not wasted my time."

There's no one answer but I'm still open to looking for solutions. Anyone who wants to make any additional suggestions, feel free to write me at mjroseAuthor@aol.com.

M.J. Rose is the author of five novels including The Halo Effect, and two non-fiction books including Buzz your Book with Doug Clegg. She also teaches an online marketing class.